Book Reviews

Hi Everyone,

We encourage you to recommend any book you loved reading. If you have one, kindly indicate the name of the book, author or maybe write a brief description about the book through the comments of this post. If you can add the link about the book, that would also be cool!

Thank you very much!

Scott

Suggestions:

Ben's Friends Recommendation:

We're In This Together: Stories & Tips from Patients with Rare Diseases

This book is a compilation of patient tips and stories to help others patients and loved ones get through this difficult time in life. Ben’s Friends is a “little Internet miracle” and we plan on continuing for many more years.

To help others locate the ebook easier, don't forget to give the ebook a 5-star rate review in Amazon. Strong positive review like 5-star bumps up the ebook in Google search results. Thanks!

SK's Recommendations:

1. The Fibromyalgia Solution: A Breakthrough Approach to Heal Your Body and Take Back Your Life - "This book covers all aspects of Fibromyalgia, starting with the cause, the frustration, then moves into the topics of diet, sleep, pain, meds, vitamins."

2. Treat Your Back Without Surgery: The Best Nonsurgical Alternatives for Eliminating Back and Neck Pain, Fully Updated Second Edition - "The best non-surgical alternatives for eliminating back and neck pain. Home remedies to reduce pain and restore mobility. Simple exercises guaranteed to strengthen your back. How to find the best surgeon if you do need surgery."

3. Back to Eden: Classic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Natural Food and Home Remedies Since 1939 "Classic text (with more than five million old) that helped create the natural foods industry. It remains today one of the major texts on herbs, natural diet and lifestyle and holistic health."

4. The Yoga Of Herbs an ayurvedic guide to herbal medicine, by Dr David Frawley and Dr Vasant Lad.

5. Today's Herbal Health: The Essential Reference Guide "It contains concise, comprehensive listings of herbs, ailments and body systems, and covers standard medical treatments with possible side effects."

6. The Woman's Book of Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Natural Healer for More Than 100 Female Health Concerns "The comprehensive guide to nature's affordable pharmacy, beauty aids and step by step instructions."

7. The World's Greatest Treasury of Health Secrets
"This is an encyclopedia of health secrets such as Magnesium for migranes, shorter flu recovery, growing older and healthier."

8. Homeopathic Medicine At Home
"This one-volume compendium of homeopathic information includes the history of homeopathy, an explanation of its principles, and advice on dosage. "

9. The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, Made Easy!

"The nation’s leading expert on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia offers a practical and concise guide to restoring health and energy."

Dee's Recommendation:

1. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements
"The most comprehensive guide to natural health, thoroughly revised and updated with cutting-edge findings in alternative and preventative therapies."

Crynsugar's Recommendation:

1. The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Fourth Edition
"Practical, step-by-step directions for mastery of relaxation, exercise, coping with panic, exposure overcoming negative self-talk, changing mistaken beliefs,
visualization, self-esteem, nutrition, medication techniques and anxiety-triggering health conditions"

Ratteld's Recommendation:

1. Reversing Fibromyalgia: How to Treat and Overcome Fibromyalgia and Other Arthritis-Related Diseases by Elrod, Joe M. published by Woodland Pub Paperback

2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The priceless wisdom and insight found in the bestselling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (more than 10 million sold!) is distilled in this palm-size Running Press Miniature Edition™. It's full of advice on taking control of your life, teamwork, self-renewal, mutual benefit, proactivity, and other paths to private and public victory. Steven R. Covey is chairman of the Covey Leadership Center and the nonprofit Institute for Principle-Centered Leadership.

3. The Naked Truth About Breast Implants: From Harm to Healing

Susan Kolb a medical doctor who is uniquely qualified to tell this story because she has a specialty in plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as extensive training in holistic medicine. Furthermore, both silicone and saline breast implants have been in her body, and she confronted the health challenges such prosthetic devices can produce. While her story is very personal, it also reflects the experience of hundreds of thousands of other women.

Kitty and Sheri's Recommendation:

1. Figuring out Fibromyalgia by Liptan
As medical understanding of fibromyalgia has increased, so have our treatment options. With the unique perspective of a physician studying fibromyalgia “from the inside,” Dr. Liptan explains the most up-to-date science and guides you to the most effective treatments from both conventional and alternative medicine.

Curio's Recommendation:

1. Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, & Myofascial Pain Mind Body Connection [PB,2010]

"Fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and chronic fatigue are often seen as interchangeable. However, treatment of one can exacerbate the others. This thorough guide to natural treatments also offers techniques to dispel the "brain fog" that these disorders often create."

♥FM☆Ratteld♥'s Recommendation:

1. The Naked Truth About Breast Implants: From Harm to Healing

Susan Kolb a medical doctor who is uniquely qualified to tell this story because she has a specialty in plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as extensive training in holistic medicine. Furthermore, both silicone and saline breast implants have been in her body, and she confronted the health challenges such prosthetic devices can produce. While her story is very personal, it also reflects the experience of hundreds of thousands of other women.

Sheri Hillis' Recommendation:

1. Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current science and the most effective treatments

As medical understanding of fibromyalgia has increased, so have our treatment options. With the unique perspective of a physician studying fibromyalgia "from the inside," Dr. Liptan explains the most up-to-date science and guides you to the most effective treatments from both conventional and alternative medicine.

Others:

Ann A (from Lupus site) says The Nutrient Dense Eating Plan: Enjoy a Lifetime of Super Health with This Fundamental Guide to Exceptional Foods by Douglas L. Margel - "Nutrient-dense eating" refers to the nutritional quality of a food and to the highly concentrated, vitally important foods eaten on the plan. They are the opposite of empty-calaorie foods that eventually degrade health and lead to debiltating diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, says Douglas L. Margel"

Hi, our very first Ben's Friends ebook We're In This Together: Stories & Tips from Patients with Rare ... is now available at Amazon. If you got a minute today, kindly give a positive review to the book on Amazon to make it easier for other patients to find it.

Thanks a bunch!

I recommend Figuring out Fibromyalgia written by Ginevra Liptan, M.D. She was in medical school when she began having symptoms of FM. Her book explains what causes the symptoms we experience and what has helped her with this disease.

Results of collecting books recommended on the forums and then looking at reviews:

The one most highly recommended by many is:

Starlanyl, Devin (& Mary Ellen Copeland) “Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition)” (“Fibro Bible”) (has fibro himself)
The most trustworthy recent one is:
Abril, Andy & Barbara K. Bruce, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia 2019.

Further good ones seem to be:
Cooper, Celeste: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection 2010
Edelberg, David: Healing Fibromyalgia: Why everything hurts and how to feel well again (functional doc) 2011
Pellegrino, Mark J. (and David Schumick): Inside Fibromyalgia 2001
Pellegrino, Mark J.: The Fibromyalgia Survivor 1995
Pellegrino, Mark J.: Fibromyalgia, Up close and Personal (has it himself; 10 books to date)
A fun one:
Pugh, Vasily: So You’ve Got Fibromyalgia: An Irreverent Look at a Chronic Illness

Not sure, recent one, reviews good up to now:
Lenz, Michael: Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain

Fibromyalgia books with a functional medicine orientation:

Dryland, David & List, Lorie: The Fibromyalgia Solution: A Breakthrough Approach to Heal Your Body and Take Back Your Life
Liptan, Ginevra: The Fibro Manual (incl. fascial release)
Liptan, Ginevra: Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current science and the most effective treatments
Marek, Claudia Craig, (and Florence, Mari, Foreword: Armand, R. Paul).: The first year - An essential guide for the newly Diagnosed. (Fibromyalgia)
Stackelhouse, Tami (FW: Ginevra Liptan): Take Back Your Life: Find Hope And Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms And Pain
Teitelbaum, Jacob: The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, Made Easy!

Fibromyalgia books for families & friends:
Black, Janet: Fibromyalgia for Families and Friends: what you need to know to support your loved one with fibromyalgia
Buford, Tom: Living with Fibromyalgia Patients: 79 Ways You Can Make Their Lives Better 2012

Fatigue
Howard, Alex: Decode Your Fatigue: A Clinically Proven 12-Step Plan to Increase Your Energy, Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life

Chronic Pain
Bernhard, Toni: How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers (Second Edition: 2018)
Butler, David: Explain Pain (1994… 2017)
Doidge, Norman: The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (neuroplasticity)
Gordon, Alan: The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
Groopman, Jerome (Harvard): The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness (1994…)
Horn, Danea: Chronic Resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness (For Readers of The Body Keeps the Score or Taming Chronic Pain)
Kabat-Zinn; Jon: Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
Louw, Adriaan: Why Do I Hurt? - A Patient Book About the Neuroscience of Pain (2013), plus Workbook (2016)
Maté, Gabor: When The Body Says No: : The Cost of Hidden Stress
McHardy, Lucia: A Smaller, Richer Life: Using Illness as a Chance to Grow
Risidore, Lyn: Multiple Sclerosis: The Kinder Side (1989)
Robinson, Peggy: My Journey Through Chronic Pain (2016)
Sachs, Nicole J.: The Meaning of Truth: embrace your truth. create your life (2016)
Sarno, John E.: The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain (1999)
Tearnan, Blake H.: 10 Simple Solutions to Chronic Pain: How to Stop Pain from Controlling Your Life (2007)

Depression, Trauma, Co-Dependency…
Beatty, Melody: Co-Dependency books (JayCS’s favourite: The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations for Codependents (Haz)
Burns, David D.: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (CBT)
Lawson, Jenny: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Furiously Happy (2017), and Broken (in the best possible way) (depression) (2001)
Rooks, Stella: Arise in Me (Depression)
Van der Kolk, Bessel: The Body Keeps The Score (Trauma)

Physiotherapy
Davies, Clair: Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)

General (functional medicine) / Food / "autoimmune"
Colbert, Don: Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone: Heal Your Digestive System to Restore Your Body and Renew Your Mind
Gundry, Stephen: The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain (The Plant Paradox, 1)
Khalsa, Guru Dharma Singh: Food As Medicine: How to Use Diet, Vitamins, Juices, and Herbs for a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life
Myers, Amy: The Autoimmune Solution: Prevent and Reverse the Full Spectrum of Inflammatory Symptoms and Diseases (& Cookbook)
O’Bryan, Tom: The Autoimmune Fix: How to Stop the Hidden Autoimmune Damage That Keeps You Sick, Fat, and Tired Before It Turns Into Disease
Reno, Tosca: The Eat Clean Diet: : Fast Fat-Loss that lasts Forever! & The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook
Scott, Trudy: The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings (2011)

Click here for further Fibromyalgia books - mentioned on the forums, but probably not recommendable, for various reasons, esp. reviews:

Brady, David: The Fibro fix: Get to the Root of Your Fibromyalgia and Start Reversing Your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21 Days (200)=
Elrod, Joe M.: Reversing Fibromyalgia: The Whole-Health Approach to Overcoming Fibromyalgia Through Nutrition, Exercise, Supplements and Other Lifestyle Factors Unlikely 2002
Goldenberg, Don: Fibromyalgia: The Final Chapter (his 3rd book, e-book)
Goldenberg, Don: Chronic Widespread Pain: Lessons Learned from Fibromyalgia and Related Disorders
Ingebretson, Susan E.: FibroWHYalgia: Why Rebuilding the Ten Root Causes of Chronic Illness Restores Chronic Wellness (2013)
Purser, Dan: Real fibromyalgia Rx. (doctors; damage to the pituitary gland??)
Seignalet, Dominique and Seignalet, Anne: How to prevent & reverse 100 diseases the new French way with Dr. Seignalet’s diet miracle: Obesity - Arthritis -Migraines - Depression -MS -Crohn’s - … Fibromyalgia - Acne - Psoriasis - Lupus etc. (diet)
Selfridge, Nancy and Peterson, Franklynn: Freedom from Fibromyalgia : The 5-Week Program Proven to Conquer Pain 2001

How the heck did I overlook that Paul St. Amand had been written “Armand” by someone. Sorry!